How does a switch handle VLAN tagging in a network?

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How does a switch handle VLAN tagging in a network?

Asked on Dec 08, 2025

Answer

Switches handle VLAN tagging by using IEEE 802.1Q, which allows multiple VLANs to coexist on a single physical network. This tagging method inserts a VLAN tag into the Ethernet frame header, enabling switches to identify and segregate traffic based on VLAN membership.

Example Concept: When a switch receives a frame, it checks the VLAN tag to determine the appropriate VLAN. If the frame is untagged, the switch assigns it to the default VLAN. Tagged frames are forwarded according to their VLAN ID, allowing for logical separation of network segments. This process enables efficient traffic management and security by isolating broadcast domains within a network.

Additional Comment:

VLAN tagging is crucial for trunk ports, which carry traffic for multiple VLANs between switches.
Access ports typically handle untagged frames and are assigned to a single VLAN.
Proper VLAN configuration helps in reducing broadcast traffic and enhancing network security.
Ensure compatibility with network devices that support IEEE 802.1Q for seamless VLAN operations.

✅ Answered with Networking best practices.

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